Wichita eagle., 1887-08-12
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USES FOR THE NOVEL.
DEMAND IN ENGLAND FOR FICTION
OF A RELIGIOUS CHARACTER.

How DenominationaI Works Are Some
times ''Sugar Coated"-George EIiot's
skiII-Dickens g Mrs. Stowe - Natural
Science in Fiction for the Young.
That the novel has been employed as "a
means of grace" is evident from the large
number of juvenile religious romances to be
found in Sunday school libraries Most of the
adults in this country contracted their love
Of fiction from the pious novels they obtained
from Sunday school libraries and read while
they were children. A writer in a Glasgow
paper, in reviewing the publications issued in
Great Britain during last year, and the book
trade during the same period, observes that
the books for which there was the greatest de-
mand were novels in which religious matters
were discussed. They were strictly religious
sometimes UNCONVENTIONAL works, sugar
coated" TO suit the popular taste. The authors
wished b discuss theological subjects, but,
thinking they would not secure many readers
for books that seemed by their titles only fit
for the libraries of clergymen, wrote novels
in which the characters are made to discuss
matters pertaining TO various religious beliefs
and their influence on life and character. BY
adopting this course they obtained numerous
readers and made their literary ventures
financially successful.
George Eliot did this in very skillful man
ner-so skiliful indeed that her purpose is not
detected by the average reader of her works.
Dickens is credited with reforming the chan
Gerry court practice and workhouse system in
England by his novels, and the works of Mrs.
Stowe doubtless did more to bring about the
abolition of slavery in this country than all
the sermons ever delivered from pulpits and
all the speeches ever made in congress.
DRY AND UNDRESSING
Recently an American gentleman has writ
ten novel in which civil service reform and
free trade are treated of, at least as side
issues. Many people never read works on po-
Etical economy, finance, transportation and
the science of government, because they con-
slider them dry and uninteresting. They would
probably find treatiSes on these subjects some
what above their comprehension, as they are
likely tc be written by persons who have de-
voted years to one branch Of study and who
prepare books for those who have given great
attention to it. One needs considerable
knowledge of the subject in order to read one
of these books with profit. The author of the
work presumes that the reader is tolerably
well acquainted with the subject that is
treated of. 1t is, in short, work for adj
vanced students, ard one will derive very
little benefit from it till he has gained some
elementary knowledge of the subject of
which it treats
That many young persons have become
greatly interested in natural science from
reading Capt. Marryatt's novels and that re-
markable book 1.-The Swiss Family Robinson"
is certain. They found that there was vastly
more in the great book of nature that had
long been open before their eyes than they
ever had an idea of. A work of fiction was
the means of introducing them to the great
truths of science. The Eovelists who will in
terest the people of this country in the study
Of bipartisan politics will do a good work.
We want novel that shall do for our pro-
tective tariff system what "Uncle Toms
Cabin" did for the institution of slavery
Chicago Times.